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Toddler Critically Hurt in Alleged Sexual Assault

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities say a 2-year-old child underwent emergency surgery last week after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by her mother’s fiancé. That’s according to KETK. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the incident on the 11,100 block of FM 848 the night of November 20, when the mother, Amanda Golightly, returned home from errands and found her little girl unresponsive. Golightly told deputies the child was fine when she left her in the care of her fiancé, Joshua Robert Williams, 28, who also lives at the location. When the mother returned home, the 2-year-old was in respiratory arrest and had severe injuries. Emergency crews were immediately contacted and the toddler was taken to a local hospital.

Following a medical official’s discovery that the girl had been physically and sexually abused, she was sent to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas the next morning in critical condition. The child suffered kidney failure, and doctors had to perform emergency surgery to save her. At last check by local officials, the 2-year-old’s condition had greatly improved; officials say she’s likely stay in Dallas to recover for a few more days. The name of the toddler has not been released by authorities.

Detectives were able to gather enough evidence to determine the child’s injuries were beyond those of a fall, and they appeared to be caused by blunt force trauma. Williams was arrested Monday and charged with injury to a child. His is being held on $250,000 bail